Ventilator for non-porous structures



June 7, 1960 J. HERMAN VENTILATOR FOR NON-POROUS STRUCTURES Filed March 27, 1958 III/111111151114, m v

l'IIIIIIIII 1154 MM materials, such as nylon.

This invention relates generally to ventilators and more particularly to an improved structure for a light weight ventilator for use in ventilating the interiors of both permanent and temporary enclosures including structures such as foldable and stationary boat cabin tops, decks and covers, automobile convertible tops, tents and the like; said ventilator being of the type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 683,279, filed September 11, 1957, now patent No. 2,839,986, entitled, Ventilator for Non-Porous Structures. More specifically, this invention relates to improvements in said ventilator ineluding a plurality of closure means at least one of which affords a water-tight closure when desired. This application comprises a continuation-in-part of the aforementioned co-pending application.

The use of ventilating apparatus for permanent boat cabins, automobile bodies or cabs and the like is well known. Such ventilators provided means for scooping up or transmitting air into the interior of the automobile use in connection with permanent automobile cabs or bodies usually made of steel or wood. Automobile convertible tops and convertible-boat tops were heretofore usually made of canvas or other textile fabrics which were sufiiciently porous to enable breathing through the fabric itself. Thus there was no necessity for using ventilators in connection with such porous material enclosures. Thesame, of course, applied to stationary enclosures such as tents. I

In recent years, however, more durable and light weight materials such as man-made textiles including nylon and dacron and the like have been substituted for canvas in the construction of such enclosures. However, since such materials are non-porous so that ventilation or breathing through the material itself is impossible, need has arisen for providing ventilating apparatus for such enclosures.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide a ventilating apparatus to fulfill this need.

Ventilators of the type described hereinabove must obviously be so designed as to admit air but without admitting moisture or 'water as when used during snow or rain. Likewise, they must be capable of screening cially and readily adaptable for use and mounting on fabric structures, including those made of non-porous States Patent ice Yet a further object is to provide a ventilating unit which may be used in connection with moving enclosures either to admit air into the enclosures or to exhaust foul air from the enclosure into the atmosphere.

Still another object is to aiford means for readily and removably mounting the ventilator unit on a fabric structure wall or surface.

As was disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending application, the purpose and function of the unique structure, particularly the recessed inclined perforated bafiie with imperforate bottom portion was to prevent the entrance of rain, snow or other extraneous materials such as insects and the like, while simultaneously admitting suificient air through the perforations for ventilating purposes. Although the structure described was quite satisfactory under ordinary conditions, during unusual weather conditions it was characterized by several objectionable features. For example, under severe conditions of weather or environment, such as a driving rain or snow or a heavy wind-tossed sea, some precipitation often entered through the ventilator. The reason therefor was because the ventilator was permanently open in the sense -that no means was provided for closing or sealing 05 the same to the atmosphere, at least during storms and the like.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide an improved ventilating apparatus which will overcome the above mentioned disadvantages.

Another object is to afford a ventilator apparatus which can be rendered completely water-tight when desired.

Certain undesirable extraneous materials such as noxious gases, sand, smoke, dust and tiny insects can pass through virtually any opening. Thus, the previously disclosed ventilator is ineffective in preventing the admission of these materials into the cab or enclosure being ventilated, regardless of the dimensions of the ventilator perforations. 4 i i It is, therefore, another object of the invention to provide a ventilator apparatus which will elfectively prevent the admission of such materials.

Under certain conditions, it may become desirableto heat or even coolthe cab or enclosure on whose roof or walls the ventilator is mounted. In such a situation, the permanently open ventilator is obviously undesirable.

It is therefore still another object of the invention to aflord a ventilator apparatus which can be readily rendered air-tight when required.

A further object is to provide a ventilator apparatus which may be opened for ventilation purposes or readily closed off when so desired.

Still a further object is to provide a ventilator of the character described which may be closed or sealed off by remote control means from within the cab or enclosure. A related objectis to afford a ventilator of the character described which may be closed from inside or outside of the cab or enclosure.

Still another object is to afford selective, multipleclosure and ventilating means for ventilators including those intended specifically for permanent hard structures as well as for those specially designed for temporary flexible structures, as for example those made of fabric.

Yet another object is to provide a ventilator of the character described which is inexpensively fabricated and extremely light in weight, yet sturdy, attractive and functional.

With the foregoing'and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion,

size and minor details of the structure may be made" without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. 1 For the-purpose of'facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings apreferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the fol- ;lowing'description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same char-. acters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawingsr i v f Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a ventilator embodying the principals of my invention and illustrated as positioned on a fragment of' a textile or fabric enclosure wall; 7 V

, Fig. 2 is'a sectional view taken on the plane of line -22 in Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction indicated;

Fig. '3'is a fragmentary sectional view similar to the 7 view of Fig. 2 showing the closure member in the sealing position; 7 Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the closure member in the ventilating position with remote control means attached thereto and showing in dotted outline, the position of these elements when moved to sealing position; 7

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view. of a front corner of the ventilator showing certain details of construction; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view showing another detailof construction.

, Directing attention first to Fig. 'l of the drawings, reference numeral 10 indicates generally a ventilator mount-- edon a pieceof fabric F such as may comprise the wall or roof of'a convertible boat cabin or automobile top.

The. ventilator 10 comprises a dome-shaped housing 12 having an integrally formed flange 14 encircling the base I thereof; The flange 14 may be of substantially flat-iron shape comprising a forwardly-projecting front segment 16 and arcuately formed,rearwardly-converging side members such as 18. Thus, the rear end of the flange is substantially pointed 'as at 19. Obviously, the flange likewise defines the shape of the housing 12 which is more'or less shaped as a scoop with a wide front end 20.and which gradually diminishes in width or converges extraneous materials such as insects, dust, sand and the like, and to render the ventilator selectively open or airtight and water-tight, a novel'structure is provided which will now be described in detail. This structure comprises erence numeral' 22. Closure member 22 comprises a pair of bafliewalls 23 and 25 integrally formed in substantiallyriglit angular disposition to each other and terminating in a common corner therebetween. It should .be noted that the baflies are of similar shape and size and when positioned in a vertical plane completely .fill

the front opening 20 extending from the front base flange It should be further noted that the front edges 24 of the housing 12 project 16 to the top of the housing 12.

forwardly and aifordan overhang so that walls 23 or .125, when in their upright position, are recessed therefrom. The function of this structure will be disclosed as the description proceeds.

Baffle 23 is formed with a plurality of perforations such as 26, the size and number of which are such'asto substantially screen out or. prevent the admission of-extraneous materials, including insects, .while simultaneously, admitting suflicient air throughthe perforations or apertures to efiectively ventilate the interior of the structure upon which the apparatus is mounted. The baflie 25, however, is solid and imperforate for reasons which will appear as the description proceeds.

A central reinforcing rib 27 may be formed in the apex of the angle formed by the baffles 23 and 25. Protruding from the back" surface of baflie 23 may be a hand-grasping flange 29 which may have a finger opening 31 formed therein. Rib 27 and flange 29 may be integrally formed with bafiies 23 and 25, V

Extending outwardly from the point of juncture of both the marginal side edges of baflies 23 and 25 are pintles 33, as indicated in Fig; 5. The pintles 33 may beaccommodated in suitable aligned openings formed in adjacent portions of the housing 12 to afiord pivots for the closure member 22.

Integrally formed in the inner surface of housing 12 and recessed from front edges 24 may be a pair of latches indicated generally by the reference numerals 35 and 37. These latches may comprise a pair of' parallel grooves 39 and 41 spaced-apart one from the other and formed in the inner surface of the housing 12; said grooves extending across the entire width of said housing in spacedrelationship with the front edge 24. Separating grooves 39 and 41 is a projecting stop member 43. Cooperating with grooves 39 and 41 are a' pair of catch members 45 and 47 respectively. Catch members 45 and 47 may have vertical inner edges 49 and 5-1'and inclined outer edges 53 and 55. In operation, bafiie 23 or 25 is moved so that its marginal edge rides down on inclined edges 53 or 55 until it snaps into groove 39'or 41. This operation, with the resulting temporary distortion of the elements involved is possible because of the material used in constructing the ventilator which will be subsequently described. Stop. member 43 obviously prevents the further movement of either baflie into the other groove. It should be noted that the grooves 39 and 41 are of such dimensions as to tightly grip the edge of the respective battle positioned therein.

The apparatus functions in the following manner. When ventilation from the outside atmosphere is desired, wall 23 is uprightly positioned with its marginal edges held by latch 35. In this position, wall 23 affords a combined screen and baffle which permits adequate passage of air therethrough while substantially filtering out extraneous materials and water. This latter function is possible because of the recessed relationship of the wall 23. 7 i

During especially heavy weather when'it may be necessary to completely seal off the interior upon which the ventilator is mounted from the outside atmosphere, it is necessary only to grip the handle flange 29 and pull the same rearwardly. The closure member 22' then a front closure member indicated generally by the refj and water-tight.

pivots on its pintles 33 until the solid imperforate wall 25 snaps into latch 37. Due to the tight gripping action of the latch 37, the apparatus is now substantially airtight Obviously, this operation may also be performed from outside the ventilator by simply grasping the rib 27 and rotating the closure member inwardly.

In order to insure a positive latching operation as described above, it is necessary that the material from which the ventilator is made possess a certain degree of flexibility and elasticity. Thus, in the embodiment shown, the entire apparatus is formed of a suitable molded plastic such as polyethylene. This material is yieldably elastic so that the latches may be temporarily distorted sufiiciently to permit first the latching of the battle and then the unlatching of the same. In addition, this materialis extremely light in weight and therefore ideally suited formounting on a flexible fabric.

To mount the ventilator 10 on'the fabric wall F, a

' simple butmost elfective means isprovided. It will be noted that the flange 14-is' formed with a plurality of openings such as 36 formed inspaced-relationship along said flange. These openings are adapted to'cooperate with openings formed in a mounting gasket such as 38, the configuration of which is likewise flat-iron shaped and complementary to the shape of the flange 14. This gasket 38 is adapted to fit beneath the fabric wall F with its openings aligned with the openings 36 of the flange. Through these aligned openings fastening means such as, for example, bolts 40 and nuts 42 may be assembled to effectively secure and mount the ventilator in position on the fabric. To insure more effective mounting, the gasket 38 may be of channel-shaped cross-section as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. It will be further noted that the nut 42 and the end of the bolt. 40 are completely recessed within the channel 38. Thus, the fabric of the enclosure cover is protected from inadvertent injurious contact with the sharp nut or bolt end such as might occur when the cover is folded or stored.

To facilitate the above described operation of the ventilator, it may be desirable to provide remote control means therefor.

Attached to the handle flange 29 may be an actuating rod 57 as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This rod may extend into the cab or cockpit being ventilated and terminate on an instrument panel or dashboard. Thus, the ventilator may be operated from within the enclosure in a manner similar to the throttle or choke of an automobile.

From the foregoing description and'drawings, it should be apparent that I have provided a unique, simple, sturdy, inexpensively fabricated and most effective ventilating apparatus which may be used in connection with any enclosure requiring ventilation. Thus, for example, the device may be used on permanent hard surface structures such as automobile bodies and cabs but is also adapted for use in connection with replaceable and foldable enclosures such as tents and fabric boat cabins or auto mobile convertible tops. The enclosure upon which the tively close the front end of said housing, at least one of said baifles being imperforate.

2. The ventilator of claim 1 in which the other of said baifles is formed with a plurality of perforations, said baifles positioned in substantially perpendicular relationship one with the other.

3. In the ventilator of claim 1, a pair of latches positioned in the inner surface of said housing, said latches being in substantial alignment with-the line of intersection of said baifles, said latches adapted to selectively and releasably lock said baflies in housing-closing position.

4. The ventilator of claim '3 in which said latches cornprise a pair of parallel grooves, saidgrooves being of substantially the same width as the thickness of said bafiies, a stop member separating said grooves and a pair of catch members, said latches integrally formed in said housing and positioned behind the front end of said housing in substantial alignment with said line of intersection.

5. The ventilator of claim 4 in which each of said catch members comprises a projection extending from the inner wall of said housing having a vertical inner device is mounted may be readily sealed off from the outside atmosphere in airtight and water-tight manner by simply manipulating the devices closure member. This operation may be performed either from inside or outside of the cab or enclosure. In addition, remote control means may be provided to make this operation even more convenient. It should be noted that the device may be used with its front end facing in the direction of travel for the purpose of admitting air from the atmosphere into the enclosure, or it may be reversed so that its open end faces rearwardly for the purpose of expelling air from the interior of the enclosure into the atmosphere. Thus, when used on vehicles such as boats or automobiles, they may be used in pairs with one unit serving as a ventilator and the other unit serving as an exhaust means. It should further be apparent that the multiple bafile device 22 may be readily adapted for use in any conventional ventilator thereby converting the same to a selective apparatus.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a ventilator for an enclosure of the character described having a dome-shaped housing with a substan tially vertical front open face and a mounting flange encircling the base of said housing; a plurality of intersecting bafiles pivotally mounted behind the front end of said housing, said bafiies being pivoted about a common axis with a fixed angular relationship at their line of intersection, whereby said bafiles are rotatable as a unit to selecedge and an inclined outer edge, each of said catch members positioned with respect to said stop member outwardly adjacent one of said grooves whereby to engage the marginal edge of one of said bafiies and thereby guide the same into locking engagement in its corre sponding groove.

6. The ventilator of claim 3 in which pintle means project from both of the marginal side edges of said baffies at their line of intersection, said housing'having a pair of aligned openings adjacent the base thereof, said pintle means positioned in said openings to afford pivots for said baflles.

7. The ventilator of claim 6 in which remote-control means are provided for effecting said selective closing, said means comprising an actuating rod secured at one end to one of said baffies, the other end of said rod terminating in a readily accessible position within said enclosure.

8. In a ventilator for an enclosure of the character described; a light-Weight plastic dome-shaped housing having a front open face, said housing tapering in width and height from front to rear, said housing having a pair of aligned openings immediately behind the front end and adjacent the base thereof, an integrally formed mounting flange encircling the base of said housing, said flange having a plurality of spaced openings therethrough, a pair of bafiles, one of said batfles being imperforate and the other being formed with a plurality of apertures, said baflles being integrally formed and positioned in substantially right angular relationship one with the other, a pair of pintles projecting one from each end of the apex of the juncture of said bafiles, said pintles being mounted in said aligned openings to afford pivots for said bafiles, a

pair of latches integrally formed in the inner surface of said housing and extending across the entire width thereof in substantial alignment with said openings, said latches comprising a pair of parallel grooves separated by a stop member and a pair of catch members positioned with respect to said stop member one outwardly adjacent each of said grooves, each of said catch members comprising a protrusion having a vertical inner edge and an inclined outer edge, each of said catch members adapted to guide the marginal edge of one of said baflles into its respective groove, said groove and catch member cooperating to releasably lock said bafile in frontface-closing position whereby the ventilator is selectively rendered open or airtight, and a handle integrally formed with the inside surface of the innermost of said baffles for rotating said battles to eifect the selective closure of the ventilator.

9. In the ventilator of claim 8, a mounting gasket, said gasket adapted to cooperate with said mounting flange for mounting the ventilator on a surface of said enclosure, said gasket being of identical configuration in horizontal cross-section to saidfiange and having aligned openings therethrough, said. gasket adapted to be mounted under the surface of the enclosure, and securing means adapted to connect together thega'sket and the flange.

- M 10.- Ihe';-'venti1ator of claim. 8 in which an actuating 5 tion of said mounting flange isiof similar configuration to that of saidbatfles, said front portion afiordingan'enlarged support platform for oneuof saidbatfieswhen the V secondof said haflies is in housing-closingpositionl;,

References Cited in the ,ofthis natent V UNITED, STATES PATENTS- 4 7 f j Hayes Ffebl 2,1886

7 335,354 0- 1,183,670 Riker l May 16,1916 1,264,056 Geibig Apr. 23, 1918 1,742,185 Bourke Jan. 7, 1930 2,758,533 Hill Aug. 14, .1956 

